American, Delta fined for long delays on airport tarmacs

Delta Air Lines is going to start boarding its planes with higher-paying and loyal customers first.

NEW YORK - The government has fined American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for several instances where passengers were stuck on planes that spent over three hours on airport tarmacs.

The Department of Transportation said Thursday it is fining American $1 million and Delta $750,000 for violating rules prohibiting tarmac delays of more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international trips.